Cineraria plant named Sunsenerapi

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a  Senecio  genus plant named ‘Sunsenerapi’ being of a high height and dome-shaped plant with abundant branching. There are several pubescences on its stem. Petiole length is longer than in  Senecio  L. It has large flower cluster. Flowers are single flowered and have no marginal variegation. The color of the petal is light purplish pink and the disk flower is strong reddish purple. Blooming term is longer than  Senecio cruentus.  Flower buds grow one after another from axil.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

[0001]Senecio cruentus×Senecio heritieri/Cineraria Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0002] cv. ‘Sunsenerapi’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofSenecio genus plant named ‘Sunsenerapi’. ‘Sunsenerapi’ is a distinct andunique variety, which is a dome-shaped plant of height with abundantbranching, light purplish pink flowers, and a long blooming term.

[0004] There are many varieties in Senecio L. Senecio cruentus is wellknown as ‘Cineraria’ and cultivated in the world. There are manycultivated varieties with flowers of a single color of white, pink, red,blue or violet. Some varieties have marginal variegation with off colorparts.

[0005] The female parent used in the crossing of ‘Sunsenerapi’ is aclone of our own breeding line, Senecio cruentus, ‘8S-84e’ (not patentedin the United States), which is a compact, dome-shaped plant, 16 cm inheight. The stems are thick, 8.0 mm in diameter, with no anthocyanincoloration. The leaf is of a serrated heart form and moderate yellowgreen. The leaf size is medium, 12.0 cm long, 12.5 cm wide. The floweris single flowered and has white petals with white disk flowers havingno marginal variegation. ‘8S-84e’ has some scent.

[0006] The pollen parent used in the crossing of ‘Sunsenerapi’ is ourbreeding line, Senecio heritieri (not patented or sold in the UnitedStates), which was introduced from England at first. Senecio heritieriis a high and dome-shaped plant, 26 cm in height with abundantbranching. Stems are 5.1 mm in diameter, with no anthocyanin coloration.The leaf is in a serrated heart form and light yellowish green. The leafsize is small, 5.5 cm long, 6.3 cm wide. The flower is single flowered,having strong purple petals with vague white parts and strong reddishpurple disk flowers. Senecio heritieri has no scent.

[0007] Progress

[0008] The controlled crossing with Senecio cruentus ‘8S-84e’ andSenecio heritieri was conducted at Omori-cho, yokaichi-shi, Shiga, Japanin February, 1999. Seedlings from this crossing were grown sinceSeptember, 1999. Four strains were selected in January 2000 among themin view of flower color and earliness. After multiplication by tissueculture, the botanical characteristics of the selected new strains weretested in pots since September 2000, using parent varieties and‘Sunsenere’ (patented in the United States: U.S. Pat. No. PLANT 12162,at 23.Oct.2001) and ‘Midget’ (not patented in the United States) forcomparison, since 2000. As a result, one strain was selected and it isconfirmed that the selected variety met our criteria of being uniformand stable in its characteristics.

[0009] Then this new variety of Senecio genus plant was named‘Sunsenerapi’ (Senecio cruentus×Senecio heritieri)

[0010]Senecio cruentus, ‘8S-84e’, and Senecio heritieri are presentlymaintained at the Omori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan.

[0011] In the following descriptions, the color-coding is in accordancewith the Horticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England (R.H.S. Colour Chart).

[0012] The botanical characteristics of the female parent plant Seneciocruentus, ‘8S-84e’, used in the crossing of ‘Sunsenerapi’ are asfollows.

[0013] Plant:

[0014]Growth habit.—Dwarf compact.

[0015]Height.—16 cm.

[0016] Stem:

[0017]Thickness.—8.0 mm.

[0018]Color.—Moderate yellowish green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0019]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0020]Branching.—Fair.

[0021]Pubescence.—Sparse.

[0022]Length of third internode below flag leaf.—0.5 cm.

[0023] Leaf:

[0024]Whole shape.—Heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.

[0025]Depth of concavity of leaf margin.—Medium.

[0026]Type of convexity.—Acute.

[0027]Apex shape.—obtuse.

[0028]Base shape.—Cordate.

[0029]Degree of Undulation.—Fair.

[0030]Length.—12.0 cm.

[0031]Width.—12.5 cm.

[0032]Diameter of petiole.—5.0 mm.

[0033]Length of petiole.—5.5 cm.

[0034]Color of upper surface.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.137C).

[0035]Color of reverse surface.—Grayish yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.138B).

[0036]Anthocyanin coloration of reverse surface.—Absent.

[0037]Pubescence of upper surface.—Present.

[0038]Pubescence of reverse surface.—Dense.

[0039]Color of pubescence of reverse surface.—White.

[0040] Flower (single flowered):

[0041]Shape of flower cluster.—Flat.

[0042]Diameter of flower cluster.—20 cm.

[0043]Height of flower cluster.—8 cm.

[0044]Transected shape of corolla.—Flat.

[0045]Diameter of flower.—5.5 cm.

[0046]Size of disk flower.—1.2 cm.

[0047]Color of petal.—White (R.H.S.C.C. No.155D).

[0048]Marginal variegation.—Absent.

[0049]Color of disk flower.—White (R.H.S.C.C. No.155D).

[0050]Petal length.—2.1 cm.

[0051]Petal width.—1.0 cm.

[0052]Shape of petal.—Elliptical.

[0053]Lengthwise warp of petal.—Flat.

[0054]Concavity of patal tip.—Present.

[0055]Shape of petal tip.—Rounded.

[0056]Number of ray flower 13.

[0057]Number of disk flower.—105.

[0058]Diameter of pedicel of the first flower.—1.6 mm.

[0059]Length of pedicel of the first flower.—2.4 cm.

[0060]Number of flowers per a flower cluster.—75.

[0061]Scent.—Present.

[0062] Calyx:

[0063]Degree of concavity.—Flat.

[0064]Degree of recurvature.—2.2 mm.

[0065]Color.—Moderate,yellow green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0066]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0067] Pistil:

[0068]Color.—Light yellow (R.H.S.C.C. No.11B).

[0069]Number.—1.

[0070]Type.—Style branches truncate (i.e. the top of the style isseparated into two and the shape of the top is truncated).

[0071] Stamen:

[0072]Color.—Brilliant yellow (R.H.S.C.C. No.12B).

[0073]Type.—5 anthers are connate, with separated filaments.

[0074]Blooming period.—January (Sowing in August).

[0075] Hardiness:

[0076]Cold.—Good.

[0077]Rain.—Good.

[0078]Heat.—Good.

[0079] Resistance:

[0080]Disease.—Good.

[0081]Insect.—Good.

[0082] The botanical characteristics of the male parent plant Senecioheritieri used in the crossing of ‘Sunsenerapi’ are as follows.

[0083] Plant:

[0084]Growth habit.—Dwarf compact.

[0085]Height.—26 cm.

[0086] Stem:

[0087]Thickness.—5.1 mm.

[0088]Color.—Very pale green (R.H.S.C.C. No.128D).

[0089]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0090]Branching.—Abundunt.

[0091]Type of primary lateral shoot.—Branch from every node.

[0092]Pubescence.—Dense.

[0093]Length of third internode below flag leaf.—0.8 cm.

[0094] Leaf:

[0095]Whole shape.—Heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.

[0096]Depth of concavity of leaf margin.—Medium.

[0097]Type of convexity.—Acute.

[0098]Apex shape.—Obtuse.

[0099]Base shape.—Cordate.

[0100]Degree of Undulation.—Weak.

[0101]Length.—5.5 cm.

[0102]Width.—6.3 cm.

[0103]Diameter of petiole.—4.2 mm.

[0104]Length of petiole.—7.5 cm.

[0105]Color of upper surface.—Light yellowish green (R.H.S.C.C.No.136D).

[0106]Color of reverse surface.—Very pale green (R.H.S.C.C. No.128D).

[0107]Anthocyanin coloration of reverse surface.—Absent.

[0108]Pubescence of upper surface.—Dense.

[0109]Pubescence of reverse surface.—Dense.

[0110]Color of pubescence of reverse surface.—White.

[0111] Flower (single flowered):

[0112]Shape of flower cluster.—Uneven.

[0113]Diameter of flower cluster.—18 cm.

[0114]Height of flower cluster.—15 cm.

[0115]Transected shape of corolla.—Flat.

[0116]Diameter of flower.—4.8 cm.

[0117]Size of disk flower.—0.9 cm.

[0118]Color of petal.—Strong purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.81B).

[0119]Marginal variegation.—Present.

[0120]Diameter of off color part.—1.3 cm.

[0121]Border of marginal variegation.—Vague.

[0122]Color of disk flower.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0123]Petal length.—2.2 cm.

[0124]Petal width.—0.4 cm.

[0125]Shape of petal.—Rectangular.

[0126]Lengthwise warp of petal.—Flat.

[0127]Concavity of patal tip.—Present.

[0128]Shape of petal tip.—Acute.

[0129]Number of ray flower.—13.

[0130]Number of disk flower.—110.

[0131]Diameter of pedicel of the first flower.—1.2 mm.

[0132]Length of pedicel of the first flower.—2.5 cm.

[0133]Number of flowers per a flower cluster.—35.

[0134]Scent.—Absent.

[0135] Calyx:

[0136]Degree of concavity.—Flat.

[0137]Degree of recurvature.—3.1 mm.

[0138]Color.—Very pale green (R.H.S.C.C. No.128D).

[0139]Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.

[0140] Pistil:

[0141]Color.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0142]Number.—1.

[0143]Type.—Style branches truncate (i.e. the top of the style isseparated into two and the shape of the top is truncated).

[0144] Stamen:

[0145]Color.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0146]Type.—5 anthers are connate, with separated filaments.

[0147]Blooming period.—End of January (Sowing in August).

[0148] Hardiness:

[0149]Cold.—Good.

[0150]Rain.—Good.

[0151]Heat.—Good.

[0152] Resistance:

[0153]Disease.—Good.

[0154]Insect.—Good.

[0155] The botanical characteristics of a similar variety ‘Sunsenere’(Senecio cruentus×Senecio heritieri) which was patented in the UnitedStates, used for examination as a comparison variety are as follows.

[0156] Plant:

[0157]Growth habit.—Semi-dwarf erect.

[0158]Height.—25 cm.

[0159] Stem:

[0160]Thickness.—5.0 mm.

[0161]Color.—Moderate yellowish green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0162]Anthocyanin coloration.—Present in parts of stem, e.g. can be seenat the part of peduncle.

[0163]Degree of anthocyanin coloration.—It is light grayish olive(R.H.S.C.C. No.197A) at the part wherein anthocyanin is present, but itis moderate yellowish green (R.H.S.C.C. No.138C) at the part whereanthocyanin is absent.

[0164]Branching.—Abundant, i.e. 9 to 11 branches.

[0165]Type of primary lateral shoot.—Branch from every node.

[0166]Pubescence.—Sparse.

[0167]Length of third internode below flag leaf.—1.0 cm.

[0168] Leaf:

[0169]Whole shape.—Heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.

[0170]Depth of concavity of leaf margin.—The maximum depth of concavitymeasured from the average convexity peak height is 7 mm.

[0171]Type of convexity.—Acute.

[0172]Apex shape.—Obtuse.

[0173]Base shape.—Cordate.

[0174]Degree of Undulation.—Weak.

[0175]Length.—8.6 cm.

[0176]Width.—10.3 cm.

[0177]Diameter of petiole.—3.2 mm.

[0178]Length of petiole.—9.0 cm.

[0179]Color of upper surface.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.137C).

[0180]Color of reverse surface.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.138C).

[0181]Anthocyanin coloration of reverse surface.—Absent.

[0182]Pubescence of upper surface.—Dense.

[0183]Pubescence of reverse surface.—Dense.

[0184]Color of pubescence of reverse surface.—White.

[0185] Flower (single flowered):

[0186]Shape of flower cluster.—Uneven.

[0187]Diameter of flower cluster.—34 cm.

[0188]Height of flower cluster.—22 cm.

[0189]Transected shape of corolla.—Flat.

[0190]Diameter of flower.—6.4 cm.

[0191]Size of disk flower.—1.3 cm.

[0192]Color of petal.—Vivid reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.78A).

[0193]Marginal variegation.—Absent.

[0194]Color of disk flower.—Deep reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.80A).

[0195]Petal length.—2.6 cm.

[0196]Petal width.—0.8 cm.

[0197]Shape of petal.—Rectangular.

[0198]Lengthwise warp of petal.—Flat.

[0199]Concavity of patal tip.—Present.

[0200]Shape of petal tip.—Acute.

[0201]Number of ray flower.—15-16.

[0202]Number of disk flower.—130.

[0203]Diameter of pedicel of the first flower.—1.2 mm.

[0204]Length of pedicel of the first flower.—3.3 cm.

[0205]Number of flowers per a flower cluster.—88.

[0206]Scent.—Present.

[0207] Calyx:

[0208]Degree of concavity.—Flat.

[0209]Degree of recurvature.—1.2 mm.

[0210]Color.—Very pale green (R.H.S.C.C. No.130D).

[0211]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0212] Pistil:

[0213]Color.—Vivid reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.80A).

[0214]Number.—1.

[0215]Type.—Style branches truncate (i.e. the top of the style isseparated into two and the shape of the top is truncated).

[0216] Stamen:

[0217]Color.—Vivid reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.80A).

[0218]Type.—5 anthers are connate, with separated filaments.

[0219]Blooming period.—Start at the end of November or early December(cutting in July).

[0220] Hardiness:

[0221]Cold.—Good.

[0222]Rain.—Good.

[0223]Heat.—Good.

[0224] Resistance:

[0225]Disease.—Good.

[0226]Insect.—Good.

[0227] The botanical characteristics of a similar variety ‘Midget’, usedfor examination as a comparison variety are as follows.

[0228] Plant:

[0229]Growth habit.—Dwarf.

[0230]Height.—14 cm.

[0231] Stem:

[0232]Thickness.—5.6 mm.

[0233]Color.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0234]Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.

[0235]Degree of anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.

[0236]Branching.—Fair.

[0237]Pubescence.—Dense.

[0238]Length of third internode below flag leaf.—0.5 cm.

[0239] Leaf:

[0240]Whole shape.—Heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.

[0241]Depth of concavity of leaf margin.—Medium.

[0242]Type of convexity.—Acute.

[0243]Apex shape.—Acute.

[0244]Base shape.—Cordate.

[0245]Degree of Undulation.—Fair.

[0246]Length.—13.9 cm.

[0247]Width.—10.3 cm.

[0248]Diameter of petiole.—4.2 mm.

[0249]Length of petiole.—4.7 cm.

[0250]Color of upper surface.—Grayish yellow green (R.H.S.C.C. No.138A).

[0251]Color of reverse surface.—Grayish yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.138B).

[0252]Anthocyanin coloration of reverse surface.—Absent.

[0253]Pubescence of upper surface.—Present.

[0254]Pubescence of reverse surface.—Dense.

[0255]Color of pubescence of reverse surface.—White.

[0256] Flower (single flowered):

[0257]Shape of flower cluster.—Flat.

[0258]Diameter of flower. cluster.—22 cm.

[0259]Height of flower cluster.—8 cm.

[0260]Transected shape of corolla.—Fairly closed.

[0261]Diameter of flower.—3.2 cm.

[0262]Size of disk flower.—0.8 cm.

[0263]Color of petal.—Vivid reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.74A).

[0264]Marginal variegation.—Absent.

[0265]Color of disk flower.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0266]Petal length.—1.5 cm.

[0267]Petal width.—0.8 cm.

[0268]Shape of petal.—Elliptical.

[0269]Lengthwise warp of petal.—Flat.

[0270]Concavity of patal tip.—Present.

[0271]Shape of petal tip.—Acute.

[0272]Number of ray flower.—13.

[0273]Number of disk flower.—86.

[0274]Diameter of pedicel of the first flower.—1.5 mm.

[0275]Length of pedicel of the first flower.—2.5 cm.

[0276]Number of flowers per a flower cluster.—180.

[0277]Scent.—Present.

[0278] Calyx:

[0279]Degree of concavity.—Flat.

[0280]Degree of recurvature.—2.2 mm.

[0281]Color.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0282]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0283] Pistil:

[0284]Color.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0285]Number.—1.

[0286]Type.—Style branches truncate (i.e. the top of the style isseparated into two and the shape of the top is truncated).

[0287] Stamen:

[0288]Color.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.72A).

[0289]Type.—5 anthers are connate, with separated filaments.

[0290] Blooming period.—January (Sowing in August).

[0291] Hardiness:

[0292]Cold.—Good.

[0293]Rain.—Good.

[0294]Heat.—Good.

[0295] Resistance:

[0296]Disease.—Good.

[0297]Insect.—Good.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

[0298] ‘Sunsenerapi’ is a dome-shaped plant of height (average height of31.8 cm in the blooming period). There is a branch from every node andbranching is abundant, i.e. 9 to 11 branches. The stem is 4.8 mm indiameter with few pubescences.

[0299] The leaves are small, 13.9 cm long, 9.7 cm wide. The leaves areshaped in a serrated heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.The leaf color is moderate olive green, with no anthocyanin colorationon the reverse side. Pubescence on both sides of leaf is dense. Thepetiole is 10.0 cm long and 3.4 mm in diameter.

[0300] The new variety has large flower cluster which are high anduneven in shape (i.e. the locations of the individual flowers formingthe cluster are uneven or not flat). A flower cluster means a gatheringof heads in a plant of the new variety. A head is a flower consisting ofa disk and a plurality of petals, i.e. ray flowers. The flower is singleflowered with no marginal variegation. The corolla has a flat transectedshape (i.e. when the corolla opens, petals are flat when viewed from theside). The flower is 6.7 cm in diameter, while the disk flower is 1.3 cmin diameter. The petals is 3.1 cm long and 0.8 cm wide. The color of thepetal is light purplish pink (R.H.S.C.C. No.75C), while the color of thedisk is strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.77B). One flower has 13 rayflowers and 167 disk flowers. A ray flower has a pistil, but no stamen.A disk flower is tubular and has a pistil and a stamen formed by 5connate anthers with separated filaments. 155 flowers are in a flowercluster. The degree of recurvature of calyx is 2.0 mm. The calyx is flatand has an anthocyanin coloration. Pedicel is 3-9 cm long and 1.2 mm indiameter. The flowers have some scent.

[0301] Blooming period is medium and blooming term is long. Aftercutting in July, flowers start to bloom at the end of the January inOmori-cho, Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan. The blooming continues fromJanuary to May, if under appropriate control. Around a temperature of15° C., the individual bloom lasts two weeks. The flower buds grow oneafter another from the axil. The flower is not self-cleaning becausepetals remain attached in a wilted and dry state as the flower fullymatures.

[0302] The new variety has moderate cold hardiness and resistance toheat. The new variety does not die at around 0° C., but when frost,occurs the cells can be necrosed resulting in the death of the plant.Usually, Senecio cruentus has a tendency of slightly reduced growth in ahot season, whereas the new variety has no problem in growing in the hotseason.

[0303] The fertility of the new variety is low. Generally, Senecio genusplants have high fertility (i.e. bear many seeds per flower). Incontrast, ‘Sunsenerapi’ bears no seed or very few seeds per flower. Whenno seed is formed, there is a part corresponding to a seed coat, whichremains in an immature state, i.e. without embryo and endosperm insidethe immature seed coat.

[0304] The new variety, ‘Sunsenerapi’, differs from similar varieties,‘Sunsenere’ and ‘Midget’, of the Senecio genus and from parent varietiesSenecio heritieri and ‘8S-84e’ in the following points.

[0305] 1. ‘Sunsenerapi’ is a high type plant, 31.8 cm in height.‘Sunsenere’ is a high type plant, 25 cm in height. ‘Midget’ is a compacttype plant, 14 cm in height. The pollen parent Senecio heritieri is asemi-compact type plant, 26 cm in height and female plant ‘8S-84e’ is acompact type plant, 16 cm in height.

[0306] 2. The flower of ‘Sunsenerapi’ has light purplish pink petals,strong reddish purple disk flowers and no marginal variegation. That of‘Sunsenere’ has vivid reddish purple petals, deep reddish purple diskflowers and no marginal variegation. That of ‘Midget’ has vivid reddishpurple petals, strong reddish purple disk flowers and no marginalvariegation. That of female parent ‘8S-84e’ has white petals, white diskand no marginal variegation. That of pollen parent Seneclo heritieri hasstrong purple petals, strong reddish-purple disk flowers and whitemarginal part.

[0307] 3. The petiole length of ‘Sunsenerapi’ is longer than that of‘Sunsenere’ or ‘Midget’.

[0308] 4. ‘Sunsenerapi’ has more pubescence of stems than that of‘Sunsenere’ and fewer than that of ‘Midget’.

[0309] 5. The blooming term of ‘Sunsenerapi’ is longer than that of‘Midget’.

[0310] 6. The fertility of ‘Sunsenerapi’ is lower than that of ‘Midget’.

[0311] The plant height and flower color are most distinctivecharacteristics of this new variety, ‘Sunsenerapi’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0312]FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofSenecio genus plant named ‘Sunsenerapi’ planted in a pot.

[0313]FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of Seneciogenus plant named ‘Sunsenerapi’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0314] The botanical characteristics of this new and distinct variety ofSenecio genus plant named ‘Sunsenerapi’ 7 months after cutting in Julyare as follows (i.e. these botanical characteristics were observed inJanuary of the year following the cutting with the new variety plantedin a 15 cm pot and grown in a greenhouse, the lowest temperature ofwhich was controlled at 12° C. in winter).

[0315] Plant:

[0316]Growth habit.—Semi-dwarf erect.

[0317]Height.—31.8 cm.

[0318]Spread.—35 cm.

[0319] Stem:

[0320]Thickness.—4.8 mm.

[0321]Color.—Very pale green (R.H.S.C.C. No.130D).

[0322]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0323]Branching.—Abundant, i.e. 9 to 11 branches.

[0324]Type of primary lateral shoot.—Branch from every node.

[0325]Pubescence.—Medium.

[0326]Length of third internode below flag leaf.—1.8 cm.

[0327] Leaf:

[0328]Whole shape.—Heart form with a swollen basal part, which isnotched at where the basal part of the blade attaches to the petiole.

[0329]Depth of concavity of leaf margin.—The maximum depth of concavitymeasured from the average convexity peak height is 5 mm.

[0330]Type of convexity.—Acute.

[0331]Apex shape.—Acute.

[0332]Base shape.—Cordate.

[0333]Degree of undulation.—Weak.

[0334]Length.—13.9 cm.

[0335]Width.—9.7 cm.

[0336]Diameter of petiole.—3.4 mm.

[0337]Length of petiole.—10.0 cm.

[0338]Color of upper surface.—Moderate olive green (R.H.S.C.C. No.146A).

[0339]Color of reverse surface.—Moderate yellow green (R.H.S.C.C.No.147D).

[0340]Anthocyanin coloration of reverse surface.—Absent.

[0341]Pubescence of upper surface.—Sparse.

[0342]Pubescence of reverse surface.—Dense.

[0343]Color of pubescence of reverse surface.—White.

[0344] Flower (single flowered):

[0345]Shape of flower cluster.—Round.

[0346]Diameter of flower cluster.—34 cm.

[0347]Height of flower cluster.—22 cm.

[0348]Transected shape of corolla.—Flat.

[0349]Diameter of flower.—6.7 cm.

[0350]Size of disk flower.—1.3 cm.

[0351]Color of petal.—Light purplish pink (R.H.S.C.C. No.75C).

[0352]Marginal variegation.—Absent.

[0353]Color of disk flower.—Strong reddish purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.77B).

[0354]Petal length.—3.1 cm.

[0355]Petal width.—0.8 cm.

[0356]Shape of petal.—Long oblong.

[0357]Lengthwise warp of petal.—Flat.

[0358]Concavity of patal tip.—Present.

[0359]Shape of petal tip.—Acute.

[0360]Number of ray flower.—13.

[0361]Number of disk flower.—167.

[0362]Diameter of pedicel of the first flower.—1.2 mm.

[0363]Length of pedicel of the first flower.—3.9 cm.

[0364]Number of flowers per a flower cluster.—155.

[0365]Scent.—Present.

[0366] Calyx:

[0367]Degree of concavity.—Flat.

[0368]Degree of recurvature.—2.0 mm.

[0369]Color.—Moderate yellow-green (R.H.S.C.C. No.139C).

[0370]Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent.

[0371] Pistil:

[0372]Color.—Vivid purple (R.H.S.C.C. No.82A).

[0373]Number.—1.

[0374]Type.—Style branches truncate (i.e. the top of the style isseparated into two and the shape of the top is truncated).

[0375] Stamen:

[0376]Color.—Dark yellow (R.H.S.C.C. No.153B).

[0377]Type.—5 anthers are connate, with separated filaments.

[0378]Blooming period.—Start at the end of January (cutting in July).

[0379] Hardiness:

[0380]Cold.—Good.

[0381]Rain.—Good.

[0382]Heat.—Good.

[0383] Resistance:

[0384]Disease.—Good.

[0385]Insect.—Good.

[0386] The new variety and Senecio cruentus have similar resistance topowdery mildew, leaf spot, aphid, whitefly, and thrips. The new variety,‘Sunsenerapi’, is a tall type plant and most suitable for flowerpotting.

[0387] This new and distinct variety of Senecio genus plant named‘Sunsenerapi’ was asexually reproduced by cutting at Omori-cho,Yokaichi-shi, Shiga-ken, Japan and the homogeneity and stability thereofwere confirmed.

1. A new and distinct variety of Senecio genus plant named‘Sunsenerapi’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.